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Page 10 March 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 WE SELL RECYCLED FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS ALL AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES TO DONATE YOUR GOODS AND ARRANGE A FREE COLLECTION CALL 01204 398056 Opening Times: Monday-Friday 9.00am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm DERBY BARRACKS, FLETCHER STREET, BOLTON BL3 6NF www.emmaus-bolton.org.uk • info@emmausbolton.org.uk GARDEN CENTRE Come along for all your bedding plants and more! GREATER Manchester Police (GMP) says its fight against criminals is reap- ing rewards with a “signif- icant drop” in crime over the past year. In the 12 months to Decem- ber 2024, recorded crime was down by eight per cent in Greater Manchester with almost 30,000 fewer incidents across the GMP force area. The force made 67,084 arrests, 3,545 more than the previous year and an increase of 5.6 per cent on 2023. AGMP spokesperson said: “These dramatic results have been achieved through targeted operations, community engage- ment and work with partners.” He added that there have been “particularly notable reductions” in neighbourhood crime – theft from the person (down 28.2 per cent), vehicle offences (down 18.5 per cent) and residential burglary (down 11.3 per cent). In the same period, the number of crimes solved was up by 12.6 per cent – described by the force as a “significant increase” on May 2021 when Chief Constable StephenWat- son was appointed at GMP. GMP says one of his first improvements was to increase the number of neighbourhood officers, resulting in greater community engagement and increased visibility on the streets. Assistant Chief Consta- ble Matt Boyle, GMP’s lead for local policing, said: “It is hugely satisfying to see signif- icant reductions in neighbour- hood crime in 2024 and that GMP is delivering results for our communities. “At the same time as reducing crime volume, we have also seen increases in the rates of crime being solved. We are under no illu- sion that there is still much more to do to keep driving these reductions. “These statistics are evi- dence of GMP’s commitment to neighbourhood policing and are a credit to the work of our neighbourhood policing teams in identifying and solving problems as well as the ded- icated neighbourhood crime team, who work tirelessly A HOST of improvements to boost sustainable travel and increase connectivity could be in the pipeline for five train stations in and around Chorley. They could come into force in future years at stations including Adlington, Buck- shaw Parkway, Chorley, Croston and Euxton Bal- shaw Lane, following scrutiny from councillors. Over the next three months Lancashire County Council and Chorley Coun- cil will analyse people’s travel patterns, current and future levels of demand for rail and ways of improving Rail study looks at station improvements CRIME FIGURE DOWN Frontline: Police are working to reduce neighbourhood crime (Photo credit: GMP) to bring offenders to justice. However, none of this can be achieved alone. We work closely with our partners including local authorities, the CPS, the voluntary sec- tor, and the Probation Service. He added: “Just as impor- tant, we have seen growing support from communities to provide intelligence and CCTV, give statements and report suspicious activity. “Our witness care teams and victim services partners are there to support those who bravely come forward to report these crimes, taking a stand against those would inflict violence and misery.” •Total crime – in the latest 12months GMP recorded 325,164 crimes, 28,269 fewer than the previous year, a reduction of eight per cent • Serious violence – 32,788 crimes, a reduction of 4.8 per cent • Residential burglary – 11,323 crimes, a reduction of 11.3 per cent • Personal robbery – 3,990 crimes, a reduction of 7.1 per cent •Theft fromperson – 5,275 crimes, a reduction of 28.2 per cent •Vehicle offences – 17,950 crimes, a fall of 18.5 per cent • Stalking and harassment – 44,252 crimes, a 15.4 per cent fall • Domestic abuse – 53,342 crimes, a reduction of 7.2 per cent • Child protection – 21,841 crimes, a fall of 2.5 per cent The latest figures show that GMP call handlers nowanswer 999 calls in four seconds, well inside the national standard of 10 seconds. LATEST GMP PERFORMANCE FIGURES: THE search is still on for someone to step forward to save Horwich’s annual Poppy Appeal. As reported in the last issue of The Advertiser the current organisers have made the “difficult decision” to step down due to health and per- sonal issues. For the appeal to continue its fundraising work a dedicated volunteer or group needs to step forward and take it over. Renewing the call a spokes- person said: “For the Horwich Poppy Appeal to continue we need a dedicated co-ordinator to organise the Poppy Appeal, this can be an individual or a An urgent Poppy appeal connectivity to sustaina- bly meet the needs of the local economy. Potential improvements could include extending car parks at the stations, increasing park and bike facilities and building more cycle pathways. The potential measures will be considered as part of a study being commissioned by the two councils, with support from a range of other interested bodies from across the rail industry. It’s also anticipated that this piece of work could help shape the county council’s wider consultation on its Local Transport Plan this summer. group. Sadly, if we are unable to fulfil this role the Horwich Poppy Appeal will cease. “The Horwich Poppy Appeal is one of the most successful in the North West having raised £41,178.00 in 2024.” If you are interested and would like to knowmore about the Horwich Poppy Appeal please contact Craig Rotheram at: crotheram@gmail.com